Apparatus for welding seams of metal drums



Feb. 1, 1944. Bhw. MOORE 2,340,679

APPARATUS FOR WELDING SEAMS OF METAL DRUMS Filed Aug; 2, 1940 3Sheets-Sheet 1 28 "ao a7 IN VENTOR BEN WILLIAM MOORE, DECEASED lglgkZ'LE CLARE MOORE ADMIN/STEATR/X Eeb. 1, 1944. B. w. MOORE APPARATUS FORWELDING SEAMS METAL DRUMS Filed Aug. 2, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ."E'IEJE11v VENTOR BEN WILL IAM MOOk DCEASAD MYRTLE cue: MQORE ADMIIVASWPATk/X ATTOiNE y Feb. 1, 1944. B. w. MOORE- APPARATUS FOR WELDING SEAMS 0F METALDRUMS Filed Axig. 2, 1940 315.5

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saw WILL/AM M002 ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 1, 1944 APPARATUS FOR WELDINGSEAMS OF METAL DRUMS Ben William Moore, deceased, late of Oakland,Calif., by Myrtle Clare Moore, administratrix,

Oakland, Calif.

Application August 2, 1940, Serial No. 349,966

2 Claims.

The invention relates to welding, and more particularly to apparatus forwelding the seams of metal drums.

The invention, while applicable to the welding and repair of metal drumsin general, is particularly suitable for the repair and finishing ofencountered in transportation may loosen them in time. Particularly withvery volatile hydrocarbons, the slightest failure at the seam rendersthe barrel or drum unfit for use, in view of the fire hazard as well asthe loss of the liquid. Previous attempts to repair such strained seamsby welding them with gas and electric torches, have not proved to becommercially practical.

The present invention contemplates the provision in a single machine ofmeans for removing galvanizing, paint, or other protective coatings,with-means for mechanically removing the oxide coating from and cleaningthe surface of the steel, and means for welding the seam tightimmediately after the last cleaning step. It may be constructed soinexpensively, and maintained and operated so easily and rapidly, thatit makes repair of such drums commercially successful.

The objects of the invention include: (1) Providing improved apparatusfor welding the seams on drums having a protective coating thereon;

(2) Providing improved means for automatically pretreating and repairingdrum seams;

(3) Providing improved automatic means for insuring the proper sequenceand timing of operations in a drum seam repairing device;

(4) Providing improved apparatus for accomplishing all necessary stepsin the repair of drum seams;

(5) Providing improved apparatus for facilitating the handling of drumsin the repairing of drum seams;

(6) Providing improved apparatus which makes rapid and economical drumrepair possible.

The invention possesses numerous other objects and features ofadvantage, some of which, together with the foregoing, will be set forthin the following description of specific apparatus. It is to beunderstood that the principles of my invention are applicable to otherapparatus, and

that I do not limit myself in any way to the apparatus of the presentapplication, as I may adopt various other embodiments within the scopeof the appended claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a, top view of the improved appa ratuscapable of operation in accordance with the improved method.

Figure 2 is a side view of the device, showing a drum to be welded inposition on the turntable.

Figure 3 is a top view Of the gear box and variable speed driving gears,looking in the direction indicated by arrow 3 in Figure 4.

Figure 4 is a side View, partially in section, of the gear box.

Figure 5 is an end view of the gear box, looking in the directionindicated by arrow 5 in. Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary, sectional view of v Figure 8 is a viewsimilar to that of Figures 6 and 7, showing the final. step in therepair of drum seams with my improved apparatus.

The apparatus of the invention, in general, comprises a supporting basewhich carries a ear box and a tool arm. From the gear box, a. shaftextends upwardly, carrying a turntable on which the drum to be repairedis supported. The tool arm carries a torch to burn off paint, lacquer,galvanizing and other protective coatings. As the turntable rotates, theportion of the seam heated by the torch is cleaned mechanically by amotor-driven wire brush. The cleaned portion then passes under a weldingtorch, which completes the repair. After a complete revolution of theturntable, the drum may be reversed and the other end similarlyrepaired. It is then ready for cooling, and the application Of a coat ofprotective lacquer or similar material, if desired, before beingreturned to service.

Referring now to the drawings for a more detailed explanation of theapparatus and the method embodied in its operation, it comprises a baseI, supporting a tool arm 2 and a gear box 4. On the box 4 is mounted amotor 5, controlled by a foot switch 6 fixed on the base 7 i. A beltdrive 8 transmits power from the motor 5 to a set of gears within box l.The details of the gear train, which allows the ratio to be changed bymoving a shift lever 9 to engage stops I 0, H and [2 on gear box 4, willbe explained hereafter in connection with Figures 3-5. A shaft l3projects upwardly from gear box 4, supporting at its upper end aturntable M, On this turntable I I are fixed two studs or do s 15, sopositioned as to engage the inside of the rim I6 of a drurnl'l whensymmetrically placed on the turntable for repair, and these studs lcooperate with a third stud l9, adjustable as to position to allow forirregularities in the rim and to permit pressure engagement of the studsagainst the rim for effecting a positive holding of the drum to theturntable. The adjustment of the third stud l9 may be secured, forexample, by an eccentric mounting of the stud with respect to asupporting bolt 29 extending through the table I 4 and threadedlyconnected to a handle 2!. When the drum I1 is placed on the turntable M,with the inner surface of rim l6 engaging fixecl studs l5, theadjustable stud l5 isturned so that the drum is securely held bypressure created between the rim and the three studs i5 and IS. The drumI! is thus pressure held on the table concentrically with the shaft i3at the three symmetrically spaced points of contact.

The tool carrying arm 2 pivotally mounts a bracket for adjustablycarrying a torch 29 havinga nozzle 2'! arranged to give a narrow flame.conventional source, not shown, through feed lines 28 and 29,respectively, the mixture being controlled by valves 36 and 31 in thefeed lines. The position of nozzle 21 is controlled by the pivotal.position of its carrying bracket 25 and its adjusted position in saidbracket, so that the flame may be directed against the upper portion ofthe seam, as such seam is Viewed in Figure 6. Control valves 36 and 3!are adjusted to give an oxidizing flame, which will-burn off anyprotective coating such as galvanizing, paint, or similar materialadjacent the upper part of the seam. It is not essential that all of thecoating be entirely burned away by the torch, but it should be loosenedenough so that it will be entirely removed, together with any surfaceoxide formed by the action of the torch 25, bythe application of a wirebrush 34 to the seam. The brush 34 is driven by a high speed motor 35held on arm 2 by an adjustable bracket 36- It has been found that a wirebrush gives very satisfactory results, removing adhering paint, oxide,

scale, and other foreign matter, as well as burnishing the surface cleanso that a satisfactory bond may be made by the welding torch. A

guard 31 is mounted about the brush to protect the operator from flyinparticles thrown off during the brushing operation.

A bell crank 39 is pivotally connected to a boss 40 on tool arm 2. Onearm 4| of the crank 39 is curved and arranged to hold a welding rod 42.The other forms a handle 44, by means of which the opera-tor can controlthe position and feed of the welding rod.

The speed of rotation of the turntable l4 and drum carried thereon iscontrolled by the posi tion of shift lever 9. A knob is fixed to a pin46 extending slidably through an enlarged end 41 of lever 9. Withinenlarged end 41, a spring 48 urges the pin toward face plate 49 .of thegear box 4.

In certain positions, the lever 9 is held by stops such as- H), H and[2, which may be holes in the face plate 49 into which pin 45 may slideunder pressure from the spring 48.

Gas and oxygen are supplied from any Within gear box 4 is arranged themechanism for transmitting power from the motor 5 to the turntable It. Apulley wheel 50, driven by belt 8, is fixed to a shaft 5! rotatablysupported by journals 52 and 54 formed in the end Walls 55 and 55,respectively, of gear box 4, which is elongated in a direction parallelto front wall 49. A collar 5'! is fixed on shaft 5| adjacent journal 52,and prevents axial movement of the shaft in one direction. Near collar51, a worm 59 is fixed to shaft 51, which worm engages a worm wheel 59fixed to a cross shaft 6!. The cross shaft Si is rotatably supported insuitable journals 62 and 64, formed in the front wall 49 and rear wall65, respectively, of gear box 4. Shaft 61 has a worm E5 fixed centrallythereof. The ratio between worm 59 and worm wheel is such that aconsiderable reduction of speed occurs between shafts 5| and 6!.

A worm 68 is mounted on shaft 5! adjacent journal 54, and serves toprevent axial movement of the shaft in a direction opposite to thatcontrolled by collar 5?. A journal 59, formed in bottom TB of box 4,rotatably supports the lower end of a vertical stub shaft H, the upperend being journaled in a bracket 12 fixed to the end wall 55 of the gearbox. A worm wheel 74 is fixed on shaft H in position to engage the worm58. The alinement between the worm 58 and worm wheel i4 is maintained bya thrust collar M fixed on shaft H against bearing 69, and a worm l5fixed on shaft 1! adjacent the shaft supporting bracket 12. This worm l5meshes with a worm wheel 16 which is mounted on a cross shaft T!rotatably supported parallel to and in horizontal alinement with thecross shaft 5!, by journals i9 and for-med in front and rear walls. 40and 65, respectively. A worm 81 is mounted centrally of the shaft 11,and the axial position of the latter is maintained by collars 82 and 84adjacent journals l9 and 88, respectively. The gear ratio between shafts5| and l! is such that shaft 'il revolves more rapidly than does shaftSI.

On the shaft 13, which supports the turntable Hi, there is mounted aworm wheel 85. A cylindrical sleeve 89 encircles shaft l3 below wormwheel and is maintained in spaced relationship to the shaft by a bushing81 which at the same time permits free rotation of the shaft I3 relativeto the sleeve. A suitable bearing, not shown, maintains the alinement atthe lower end, within body member I, to which sleeve 56 is fastened.

The diameter of worm wheel 85 is such that it does not touch either worm66 or worm 81 when shift lever 9 engages stop II in neutral position asshown in Figures 3.and 4. The mechanism by which shifting lever 9 causesthe gears to engage is shown in 'detail'in Figures 4 and 5. The frontplate 49 has a downward extension 87, and rear plate 65 has acorresponding extension 89. Bushings and 9|, respectively, extend towardeach other from these ex.- tensions and carry protruding pins 92 and 94,respectively. These pins project into bushings 95 and 96, respectively,which are formed integral with acollar 91 fixed around sleeve 86, andconstitute the supporting link between the base I and gear box 4. An arm99, shaped to fit snugly against sleeve 86, is an integral part of thecollar 97 and projects downwardly therefrom, terminating in a laterallyextending stump 1B0 hav-v ing an axial bore therein facing the frontplate extension ,81.

Shift lever 9 is supported by a shaft IUI, journaled in a bushing I02extending inwardly from front plate extension 81, on an axis parallel tobut slightly out of line with the axis of the stump Hill. The inner endof this shaft IBI terminates in an eccentric cam Ill4 arranged to fitinto the bore of the stump 100.

Since the stump is held stationary with relation to the supportingsleeve 86 by collar 91, when control lever 9 is shifted by the operatorto one side or the other of neutral position, the eccentric cam I04 willcause shaft lfll to swing through a short arc, thereby causing the wholegear box 4 to tilt about pins 92 and 94, in one direction or the otherin accordance with the direction of shift of the control lever 9. Thistilting of box 4 is sufiicient, when the control lever has been moved asfar as stop In or I2, to bring one or the other of worms 56 and 8| intoengagement with worm wheel 85. By throwing the foot switch 6, power willbe applied to the gear mechanism and the turntable will revolve at aspeed depending upon which of the worms 66 or 8| has engaged the wormwheel 85.

It will be noted that the gear trains have been arranged so that thedirection of rotation is the same for either speed, and the motor isdriven in such direction that the table always turns to convey anuncleaned portion of a seam to the oxidizing torch 26 and then insuccession, to the cleaning brush 34 and the welding rod 42.

- The speed of rotation used will of course depend on the amount ofprotective material and dirt to be removed, and the welding speed. Allthe factors involved can be easily controlled by a single operator. Whenproper adjustments have been made, it is only necessary for him tocontrol the welding rod.

Drums which are heavily coated with protective paint or galvanizing willrequire slower speeds of rotation and in some cases a more powerfuloxidizing flame. Care should be taken, however, that the cylindricalwall H of the drum is not burned deeply, as it might be so weakened thatthe drum would be unfit for service. Excess application of heat mightalso well serve to destroy any galvanizing or other interior protectivcoating which, of course, is not desirable. In general, a severe orprolonged heating is not required, as the steel brush 34 is veryeffective in cleaning the joint well down into the fold portionin whichthe outer surface of wall H0 lies next to the outer side of end wall HI.As a precaution against the effects of excess heat, it is withincontemplation of the invention to at least partiallyfill the containerwith water or other heat absorbing medium, while the joint is beingsubjected to the various stages in the repair process.

The success of the invention is due in considerable part to the rapiditywith which the welding follows the cleaning operation so that there isno time for the formation of oxide and the accumulation of dirt whichwould prevent making a firm bond. The proper result is seen in Figure 8,where a fillet H2 is formed by the union of metal from the rod with themetal of walls H0 and III, the final seam being actually stronger thanthe original crimped seam, and incapable of leaking in the absence ofactual failure of the metal.

In addition, the convenience of the device and the ease of operationmake it profitable to repair metal drums. The expense of purchasing newdrums is considerable, and where a satisfactory repair system isavailable, the savings may be quite appreciable.

What is claimed is: V

1. An apparatus comprising a base having a sleeve extending upwardlytherefrom; a bear box pivotally mounted on said sleeve; a shaftjournalled in said sleeve and extending upwardly through said gear box;a drive connection on said shaft; a plurality of speed change systemshaving different speed characteristics, carried within said gear box andadapted to be tilted with said gear box to permit selective connectionwith the drive connection on said shaft, whereby to alter the rotationalspeed of said shaft whil retaining said shaft in its original position;and means for tilting said gear box to effect such selective connectionwith said drive connection.

2. An apparatus comprising a base having a sleeve extending upwardlytherefrom; a gear box pivotally mounted on said sleeve; a shaftjournalled in said sleeve and extending upwardly through said gear box;a gear on said shaft; a plurality of gear trains of differing speedratios carried within said gear box and adapted to be tilted with saidgear box to permit selective connection with the gear on said shaft,whereby to alter the rotational speed of said shaft while retaining saidshaftin its original position; and means for tilting said gear box toeffect such selective connection with said gear.

MYRTLE CLARE MOORE, Administratria: of the Estate of Ben William Moore,Deceased.

